MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF WOOTTON BRIDGE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2012 AT 7.00PM IN WOOTTON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL, CHURCH ROAD, WOOTTON BRIDGE.
Present: Councillor Ken Morris Chairman
Councillor Steve Porter – Vice-Chairman
Councillors Pete Mundell, Dick Doran, Roy Murphy, Sarah Fulford, Barrie Hailstone Also present: 1 Members of the public
0 Members of the press Val Cooper - Parish Clerk
No matters were raised during the Open Forum. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
12/413. Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B Ballard, D Pitcher and B Abraham. Councillor D Doran had informed the Clerk that he would be late arriving for the meeting.
2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16 OCTOBER 2012
12/414. RESOLVED – THAT THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16 OCTOBER 2012 BE APPROVED AS A CORRECT RECORD AND SIGNED BY THE CHAIRMAN. 3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
12/415. No declarations of interest had been received. 4. SOLO (Organisers of the Isle of Wight Festival)
12/416. To receive a presentation regarding the problems that occurred with the Isle of Wight Festival in 2012 and to hear of the action being taken in readiness for 2013.
Mr Steele (SOLO) informed the meeting that he used to work for the Police, with responsibility for event planning for music festivals. Mr Steele was contacted by SOLO after the chaos that ensued after this year’s music festival. His brief was to resolve the 2012 problems and draw up new plans for 2013, which are being taken very seriously. A public apology was made by SOLO yesterday and today to Licensing. The new plan involves two car parks with eleven lanes, with SOLO doing everything they can to ensure there is no repeat of the serious problems that occurred this year. Mr Steele outlined what had gone wrong this year and lessons that had been learned, including listening to members of the public. The area of land that failed was 4 m x 30 m which was the entrance to the car park. There are inspection regimes planned for next year, with contingency parking in place around the Island as well as the option of cars being kept at Portsmouth and Southampton and running a shuttle bus. Following a lengthy question and answer session Councillors were happy with the plans being put in place. Mr Steele was happy to reassure any member of the public if they remain concerned. His email address is dave@solo.uk.com. The festival has a licence for 90,000 people but they will not sell more than 65,000 tickets. The Parish Council will invite Mr Steele to a further meeting in the new year to get an update on the festival arrangements.
5. MATTERS ARISING. Progress reports only.
12/417. Medical Centre, Brannon Way (Minute 12/379)
Following the Parish Council involving Andrew Turner MP in trying to progress the new medical centre in the village, a copy of a letter had been received that had been sent to him by the SHIP PCT. The District Valuer is just waiting for some final documentation from the developer in order to complete her report to the SHIP PCT cluster on the valuation for reimbursement
purposes. Neither the GPs or the developer wish to commence the build until the detail of the reimbursement is finished.
Councillor D Doran arrived at the meeting. 12/418. Coastal Erosion (Minute 12/381
Councillor Abraham and Councill Giles (Isle of Wight Council) are in communication about the coastal erosion that had occurred at Woodside. Councillor Hailstone felt Councillor Giles should take this matter up with Mr Marsden of the Coastal Protection Team as he had indicated that erosion on this scale would not occur for thirty to forty years.
12/419. PGL Village Litter Pick (Minute 12/409)
Twenty five members of staff from PGL carried out a litter pick on 2 November and filled 20 black bags with rubbish. Thanks were sent to PGL for this excellent work which is much appreciated.
12/420. Halloween
PC Nick Massey had reported that extra patrols were put in on the evening of Halloween, with no problems encountered.
12/421. PC Nick Massey
The meeting heard that PC Massey is moving to the Shanklin area. He had covered Wootton Bridge for a number of years and will be greatly missed.
12/422. Houseboats being lived in on the Creek.
Councillor Mundell had attended a meeting of the Wootton Creek Fairway Association last week. Mr Dave Moore and Councillor Abraham are taking up the issue of people using houseboats on the creek for residential use with the Isle of Wight Council.
6. PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
To comment on the following planning applications:- 12/423. P/01478/12 TCP/02342/G
50 Palmers Road, Wootton Bridge
Replacement of planning permission (P/01822/09 TCP/02342/F: Demolition of bungalow; construction of three dwellings (one detached, one pair of semi-detached) alterations to vehicular access (revised scheme)) in order to extend the time limit for reimplementation.
RESOLVED – THAT THE PARISH COUNCIL WOULD REITERATE THE OBJECTIONS SENT PREVIOUSLY AS FOLLOWS:-
• The proposal is inappropriate development and out of keeping with the locality. • The proposal constitutes overdevelopment of the plot. The Wootton Bridge Village
Design Statement advises that new building should strictly respect the inherent scale of the setting.
• The proposal would set a precedent for similar applications in the future. • The wood materials being used are not in keeping with the area.
The Parish Council also expressed concern that the existing building is deteriorating, with repairs needed.
12/424. Decisions
P/01128/12 – Approved (1 Rectory Close) P/01257/12 – Approved (87 Mary Rose Avenue)
P/01153/12 – Approved (Replacement of existing 13.85 monopole with a 17.53 monopole at junction of Upper Woodside Road & Palmers Road)
P/01218/12 – Approved – (17 Church Road) 12/425. Appeal
APP/P2114/D/12/2182900 – 87 St Edmunds Walk
12/426. Tree Preservation Orders
TPO/2012/35 – Woodside Beach Caravan Park. TPO/1994/18 – Fernhill Park Woodlands.
12/427. Land opposite Aldene, Woodside Road
Concern was expressed that fencing and hedging were being taken down opposite the property Aldene, with information being received that barns are going in. Nothing had been seen for an agricultural holding. The Tree Warden had raised the issue of a significant amount of Oak Trees and a Beech Tree being cut down with the Tree Officer at County Hall with feedback awaited.
RESOLVED – THAT THE CLERK WOULD CONTACT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO REQUEST INFORMATION ON WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE LAND OPPOSITE ALDENE. 7. MONTHLY REPORT OF ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL ISSUES AFFECTING THE VILLAGE.
12/428. Report by Local Member.
The Local Member had sent apologies as he had to attend another meeting. 8. YOUNG PEOPLE’S REQUIREMENTS IN THE VILLAGE.
12/429. To discuss youth issues in the village. There were no youth issues to discuss.
12/430. To receive any update regarding the Parish Council taking over the old school building in New Road.
The Clerk had chased Barry Cooke from Property Services as the Parish Council Solicitors had not received lease documentation.
9. LOCAL HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY
12/431. To report on the successful tender for the Local Housing Needs Survey.
Three tenders had been received and evaluated for the Local Housing Needs Survey, with JG Consulting of Tonbridge in Kent being chosen. The questionnaire should be with residents by the end of November, with it being essential that there is a good response rate. Once completed, the Local Housing Needs Survey will form a material consideration in the determination of planning applications in the parish of Wootton. Development Control staff will be made aware of this survey on completion and will use it for form the basis of advice to prospective developers and as part of the determination process.
10. PARISH COUNCIL PRECEPT 2013/2014
12/432. Pre-budget discussion in advance of setting the council tax precept. To receive any suggestions for expenditure to be included in next year’s budget.
• To consider donating £460 to the Isle of Wight Ramblers “Donate a Gate” scheme (which makes the countryside more accessible to all by converting stiles to gates). • To consider having a negative budget if future expenditure allows.
11. CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL.
12/433. To agree the budget to meet costs involved with the Christmas Festival.
The raffle and refreshments at last year’s Christmas festival raised £120 after expenses; with the Clerk being hopeful that this will cover all of this year’s cost. However it would be helpful to have a contingency approved of around £200 for any unforeseen expenditure. Another raffle will be held at this year’s festival.
RESOLVED – THAT THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL SET ASIDE A CONTINGENCY SUM OF £200 TO MEET THE COSTS OF ANY UNFORESEEN EXPENDITURE IN RESPECT OF THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 2012 THAT CANNOT BE MET BY LAST YEAR’S RAFFLE MONEY.
12/434. To agree the quotation for the Christmas Tree lights.
A quotation had been received for £337.36 for putting up and taking down the Christmas tree lights. (Last year it was £321.30)
RESOLVED – THAT THE PARISH COUNCIL ACCEPT THE QUOTATION OF £337.36 FOR THE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS.
12. HIGHWAYS ISSUES
To discuss any outstanding Highway issues.
12/435. Crossing near Harwoods.
Concern had again been raised about the potential for a serious accident at the above crossing due to poor visibility and cars not stopping.
RESOLVED – THAT THE CLERK WILL ASK MR HAYWARD AND COUNCILLOR GILES TO MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL AT THE CROSSING AT HARWOODS ONE EVENING AT 5.00 P.M. TO VIEW THE CROSSING AFTER DARK.
13. COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS. To report on the following meetings:-
12/436. IWALC Executive.
Councillor Doran represented Wootton Bridge Parish Council at the IWALC Meeting with Hampshire County Association on the 15th November 2012. Affiliation fees are likely to be frozen by both IWALC and NALC for the coming year, whilst membership benefits will be enhanced. Partnership working with the Hampshire Association (HALC) is a major step forward, including a helpline available from the 1st January 2013 and an innovative professional development scheme for councillors. There will also be specialist training and information events on the Island and in Hampshire. Councillor Doran had also been to a NALC meeting, with NAlC continuing to be extremely influential with the new team of ministers.
12/437. PFI Asset Meeting
The Clerk had attended the meeting with Malcolm Smith & Peter Brooke from IW Council about the PFI Scheme and assets that will be taken over the by the PFI provider. The Clerk and Chairman will look at the maps given of the village and take any queries back to Mr Brooke. 14. CORRESPONDENCE.
For information only.
12/438. Optio Voluntary Care Scheme
A letter had been received from Community Action about Optio Voluntary Care Scheme. Last year they provided over 15,000 trips to hospital, doctors surgeries etc. They are asking all Town & Parish Councils to consider making a contribution of up to £500 towards the service.
12/439. Health & Wellbeing Strategy
An email had been received from Community Action about public services on the Island seeking views on their plans to make the Island a healthier, safer, wealthier and more environmentally-friendly place.
12/440. Highways PFI Roadshow.
An email had been received from Highways about roadshows regarding the PFI. The roadshow for the local parish district is on Monday 21 January 2013 at 6.00m p.m. at Ryde Academy. The Clerk will ensure information is put on the noticeboard nearer the time.
12/441. Isle of Wight NHS Trust Consultation on Foundation Trust Status
The IOW NHS Trust are now consulting on the creation of an NHS Foundation trust for the Island. They are holding three public meetings and are offering to send a speaker to Parish Council meetings.
RESOLVED – THAT THE IOW NHS TRUST WOULD BE INVITED TO THE DECEMBER PARISH COUNCIL MEETING TO TALK ABOUT THEIR CONSULTATION ON CREATING AN
12/442. Wootton in Bloom.
The Halifax account for Wootton in Bloom needs to be closed on the direction of the Halifax Building Society. The £350 in the account will be sent to the Parish Council in approximately a month’s time. This money will be kept with the £100 awarded for Wootton Bridge being the Best Kept Extra Large Village and will be used for Wootton in Bloom 2013.
12/443. Wootton Cricket Club.
An email had been received from the Cricket Club to say that they are hoping to replace their concrete wicket at the Rec with a modern artificial strip. This is more like grass and will need protection from other sportsmen and the general public when not in use, especially in the winter. This protection would probably take the form of some type of fending around the edges of the wicket.
RESOLVED – THAT THE MATTER OF THE REPLACEMENT WICKET AT THE RECREATION GROUND SHOULD BE A MATTER BETWEEN THE CRICKET CLUB, RUGBY CLUB AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL, WITH THE PARISH COUNCIL LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING HOW THIS HAS BEEN RESOLVED.
12/444. UNSIGHTLY BANNERS IN THE VILLAGE.
A letter had been received expressing concern about unsightly “Banners” and other advertisements appearing in the Village.
RESOLVED – THAT THE CLERK WOULD FIND OUT THE SITUATION WITH PLANNING ABOUT ADVDERTISEMENTS AND BANNERS AND ALSO PUT A NOTICE IN THE PARISH MAGAZINE.
15. ACCOUNTS
12/445. To consider and approve the accounts for payment. Members were presented with the accounts for payment.
RESOLVED – THAT THE ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT TOTALLING £5,011.92, A COPY OF WHICH FORMS APPENDIX A OF THESE MINUTES, BE PAID.
A suggestion was made to get alternative quotations next year for the electrical check on the public conveniences in Brannon Way.
16. TO RECEIVE ANY ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE NEXT AGENDA.
12/446. Items to be included on the next Agenda.
No requests for specific Agenda items for the next meeting were received.
A quotations was to be sought from two plumbers to sort out the leaks in the office toilets, including the water heater.
Meeting closed at 8.40 p.m.
